A sad, sad day for the Lakers

Note: Post edited to appease the English teacher crowd out there that commented on the lack of paragraphs. Granted as a college educated man, I should know how to do this, but hey its random outpourings of my mind, not War and *(^*^ Peace.

Disgusted. That’s the word I choose to use. For the last year +, since game 6 last year versus the Spurs, when Robert Horrey’s last second shot clanged against the iron, all I have heard from Dr. Buss and Lakerland was how this year was going to be different, how this year’s team is built for winning the Championship. Money was thrown to Karl Malone and Gary Payton, whose thirst for the Gold Trophy of NBA Success out weighed the lore of money, that today’s athlete only cares for.

Yes Karl and Gary took less money to play for the Purple and Gold and to win a ring. And who could forget Derrick Fisher’s tears of sorrow as they Lake Show was bounced from last year’s playoffs. So the Lakers back into the playoffs, amid controversy on and off the court, and go through the motions against the Rockets and the Spurs. But then something happens, the switch is thrown, the Lakers come back from certain death in games 3 and 4 of the Spurs series, showing life as Game 5 is down to the wire, seconds left, Lakers lead, Duncan shoots, scores, Spurs up by 1 with .04 on the clock. But as the head’s of the superstars hung low, a short purple flash of a backup point guard appears, catches and shoots in one graceful motion, swish, the horn, Lakers win, Derrick Fisher is the Mayor of Los Angeles. Riding a wave higher than that in the movie The Day after Tomorrow, (and higher than Snoop Dogg and a Death Row Records party) the Lakers claim game 6, and the beat the Twolves to advance to the Finals.

NBA Finals, Game One Lakers versus the Pistons. The Lakers are finally playing to their potential, hitting on all cylinders, what ever cliché out of the book you would like. But what happens? The Lakers some how have managed to regress to their mid season form of stand around and watch Shaq and/or Kobe play. Karl Malone? Didn’t show up. Him and Gary Payton must have gone home for the summer. Post Series with the Timberwolves, all Karl Malone talked about was how he had not achieved his goal, he came to win the Title, but did he show up? NOPE. How can someone who plays basketball for millions of dollars for several years, not show up when at the pinnacle? The big two scored like 65 points between them, and no one else scored more than 5. Guys looked afraid to shoot, looked like if they didn’t pass to Shaq, that they would be drawn and quartered. Hopefully Game 2, the Lakers will remove their heads from the proverbial a$$holes, and breath some fresh air, and put the ball into the bucket. While they are at it, they can play a little defense. The precise moment of Game 1 that defeat was in hand, was the Laker’s first possession. Kobe “the blackhole” Bryant, back of the three point line, stands there, palming the ball, staring at the defender, then begins to dribble in. Not a standard dribble, but back and forth, between the legs, like 4 times. No wonder the whole team was out of sync.